AT THE END OF THE LONG WEDDING MASS, GAVIN TOOK Judith’s hand and led her down the steps to the altar where they knelt before the priest as he blessed them. The holy man gave Gavin the kiss of peace, which he then transmitted to his wife. It should have been a kiss of duty; but though it was over quickly, Gavin’s lips were lingering, causing Judith to gaze at him, her golden eyes mirroring her pleasure as well as surprise.
Gavin grinned widely with pure joy, took her hand in his and led her at a half-run from the church. Once outside, the crowd threw a shower of grains that by sheer volume was almost lethal. He lifted Judith onto her horse, her waist tiny even when swathed in layers of fabric. He would have liked to put her onto his mount with him, but he’d committed enough of a faux pas when he’d first seen her. He started to take the reins of her horse, but Judith led her own animal and he was pleased; his wife would need to be a good horsewoman.
The bride and groom led the procession back to the Revedoune manor house, Gavin holding her hand tightly as they entered the freshly cleaned great hall. Judith looked at the rose petals and lilies spread on the floor. Only a few hours ago, these flowers had seemed an omen of the dreadful thing that was about to happen to her. Now, looking at Gavin, his gray eyes smiling into hers, the idea of being his wife did not seem so dreadful at all.
“I would give a great deal to know your thoughts,” Gavin said, his lips close to her ear.
“I was thinking that this marriage does not seem nearly as bad as I once thought.”
Gavin was stunned for a moment then he threw back his head and bellowed with laughter. Judith had no idea that she had insulted him and complimented him in one sentence. A well-trained young lady should never have admitted to disliking the idea of marriage to any man chosen for her. “Well, my wife,” Gavin said, his eyes sparkling, “I am more than pleased.”
Their first words to each other had been spoken—and then there was time for no more. The bride and groom must stand in line and greet the hundreds of guests who congratulated them.
Judith stood quietly beside her husband and smiled at one guest after another. She knew very few of them since her life had been so secluded. Robert Revedoune stood to one side, watching his daughter, making sure that she did nothing wrong. He would not be certain he had her off his hands until the marriage was consummated.
Judith had been concerned that her clothes would be overly rich but as she watched the guests, murmuring “thank yous,” she knew her attire was conservative. The guests were dressed in peacock colors; several of them, all on one body. The women wore reds, purples and greens. There were checks, stripes, brocades, appliqués, and lush embroidery. Judith’s gold and green stood out through its understatement.
Raine suddenly grabbed Judith’s waist, lifted her high above his head, then planted a sound kiss on each cheek.
“Welcome to the Montgomery clan, little sister,” he said sweetly, deep dimples in his cheeks.
Judith liked his honesty and openness. Miles came next. She had met him when he came as proxy for Gavin. He had stared at her like one of the hawks in the mews.
Miles still stared at her in that odd, piercing way, and she stole a glance at her husband, who seemed to be badgering Raine about some jest about an ugly woman. Raine, shorter than Gavin, wore a black velvet jacket trimmed with silver. He was a handsome man with his deep dimples and his laughing blue eyes. Miles was as tall as Gavin, but of slighter build. Of the three brothers, Miles’s clothes were the brightest. He wore a dark green wool doublet and a brilliant green jacket, lined with dark sable. About his slim hips was a wide leather belt set with emeralds.
They were all strong, handsome men; but as she saw them together, Gavin seemed to outshine the others. At least, it seemed so to Judith. Gavin felt her eyes on him and turned toward her. He took her hand from her side and kissed her fingers. Judith felt her heart race as he put the tip of one finger in his mouth, touching it to his tongue.
“I think you should wait a while, brother, although I can see the reason for your impatience,” Raine laughed. “Tell me again about fat, overbred heiresses.”
Gavin released his wife’s hand reluctantly. “You can laugh at me all you like—but it is I who has her, so I have the last laugh. Or maybe ‘laugh’ is not the right word.”
Raine gave a throaty sound and nudged Miles. “Come on, let’s see if we can find any more golden-eyed goddesses in this place. Give your new sister-in-law a kiss of welcome and let’s go.”
Miles lifted Judith’s hand and kissed it lingeringly, his eyes on hers all the while. “I think I shall save the kiss for a more private time,” he said before following his brother.
Gavin put his arm around Judith’s shoulders possessively. “Don’t let them upset you. They’re only teasing.”
“I rather like their teasing.”
Gavin smiled down at her, then abruptly released her. Touching her had nearly set him on fire. The bedding was many hours away. If he was to live through the day, he knew he must keep his hands off her.
Later, as Judith accepted a kiss from a withered woman, countess of someplace, wearing a shimmering gown of purple satin, she felt Gavin stiffen beside her. She followed his eyes down the line to a woman so exquisite that several men did little but gape at her. When she came to stand before the bride, Judith was taken aback at the hatred that smoldered in those blue eyes. She was almost tempted to cross herself in protection. Titters drew Judith’s attention and she saw that several people were greatly enjoying the sight of the two women, both beautiful, but so different, face to face.
The blonde woman moved quickly past Gavin, refusing to meet his eyes and Judith noticed an expression of pain on her husband’s face. It was a puzzling and disconcerting en
counter which she did not understand.
Finally the reception was over. All the guests had spoken to the newly wedded couple, Judith’s father had given each person a gift, according to his or her importance and at long last the trumpets sounded for the feasting to begin.
While the guests had greeted the bride and groom, the tables had been set about the great hall. Now they were being covered with food: chicken, duck, quail, crane, pheasant, partridge, as well as pork and beef. There were meat pies and twelve kinds of fish. Vegetables, seasoned with spices from the Orient, were abundant. The first strawberries of the season would be served, as well as a few of the rare and expensive pomegranates.
The estate’s portable wealth was seen in the gold and silver dishes used by the most important guests who sat at the head table on a slightly elevated platform. Judith and Gavin had matching glasses—tall, slender, made of silver, the bases of finely worked gold.
In the center of the grouping of tables was an open area. Here jongleurs played and sang, Eastern dancers moved enticingly, acrobats cavorted and one traveling troupe put on a play. The noise was tremendous, filling the two-story-high room.
“You do not eat much,” Gavin said, trying not to shout, but it was difficult to be heard over the din.
“No.” She looked at him and smiled. The idea that this stranger was her husband kept running through her mind. She would like to touch the cleft in his chin.